Practicing Gratitude with Your Kids

In a world where life’s demands often obscure the wonders and goodness around us, nurturing gratitude in our children presents an invaluable opportunity to cultivate their presence. Guiding them to cherish life’s beauty and recognize acts of kindness nurtures empathy, resilience, and a positive mindset. Harvard Health highlights the profound link between gratitude and increased happiness. It fosters positive emotions, enhances the enjoyment of good experiences, bolsters health, helps individuals deal with adversity, and strengthens relationships. As we approach the darker months, here are a handful of enjoyable and simple methods to encourage gratitude in your children.

Gratitude Journaling:

Encourage your children to keep a gratitude journal. This simple practice helps them reflect on the positive aspects of their lives and recognize the good things, big or small, that they experience daily. Set aside a few minutes each day for your child to jot down three things they are grateful for. This not only instills a habit of thankfulness but also provides a tangible record of positive moments to revisit during challenging times.

Tree of Thanks

A tree of thanks is a fun visual aid for kids to show their gratitude. With just a few materials, you can create a colorful reminder of all your family has to be thankful for.

Use a set of jars with three tablespoons of water and 10 drops of food coloring each to create your paint. Stack two or three coffee filters on top of each other and have your child paint them different colors. (Tip: use a bag, piece of cardboard, or other covering to protect your workspace.) After they dry, cut the filters into the shapes of leaves and help your child write on them what they are thankful for.

Then, using construction paper, create a leaf-less tree and hang it up on your wall. Have your child attach the leaves to the tree and create a Tree of Thanks in your home.

Thankful Turkey

Similar to the Tree of Thanks, a Thankful Turkey is an easy DIY craft project you can do at home.

Using construction paper, draw or trace a feather-less turkey, cut it out and attach it to the wall. Using more construction paper, create feathers and cut out 10 or so in different colors. Help your child write what they are thankful for on the feathers and have them tape the feathers to the body of the turkey.

Get everyone involved: Let everyone in your household write what they are thankful for and attach it to the turkey’s body. If you have a gathering of friends or family, you can have your guests add to the turkey as well. (Depending on the number of guests, you may need to make several turkeys to fit all of the feathers.)

Gratitude Jars

Find an empty jar in your home and decorate it with paint, stickers or paper. Then, using a small notepad, have your child write out all of things they are thankful for and place the notes in the jar. You can have other family members add their own notes. Try to fill the entire jar throughout the week and then find time at the end of the week to pull out the different notes and read them aloud, celebrating each positive aspect of your family’s life

Nature Walks and Mindful Moments:

Encourage your kids to connect with nature and be mindful of the world around them. Take family walks in the park or hikes in nature, encouraging them to observe and appreciate the beauty in the simplest things – the rustling of leaves, the colors of flowers, or the sound of birds. These moments of mindfulness instill a sense of awe and appreciation for the world, fostering a grateful attitude.

Acts of Kindness

Teaching gratitude is not just about being thankful for what one has but also about giving back. Involve your children in acts of kindness, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity, helping an elderly neighbor, cleaning the leaves from neighborhood storm drains, or even performing small acts of kindness within the family. Experiencing the joy of giving firsthand helps children understand the interconnectedness of gratitude and generosity.

Making a Habit of Gratitude

In a fast-paced world, raising grateful children requires intentional effort. By incorporating these thoughtful practices into your daily routine and special activities, you can help nurture thankful hearts in your kids. Remember, the journey towards gratitude is ongoing, and we all can play a role in guiding our children towards a positive and appreciative outlook on life.